All posts by Melissa Dunn

The Aerial Photography captured with the use of UAVs is changing the way we see the world and improving our ability to tell stories. Shots Images that were previously only reserved to high-budget Hollywood films are now possible for all UAV photographers.

However, at Flying IQ, we firmly believe that just because you have a camera and a drone, doesn’t mean you are an Aerial Photographer. We push your skills to a level that will distinguish your portfolio from the amateurs.

Through the use of games, the Online Professional Aerial Photography Course will help captivate and involve learners in a way that webinars, instructional videos, or classroom lecture doesn’t. As you journey through the course material, you’ll feel included in the refining process needed to mold you into a knowledgeable expert in the world career of Aerial Photography.

The expert behind all of our content is Dave Terry from Silverhawk Aerial Imaging. Dave has been flying model and full scale aircraft since he was 9-years old. He earned his pilots certificate at 16. He has also been flying drones for years. He has the FAA 333 exemption to fly commercially and he has consulted for companies such as FLIR, GoPro, and 3D Robotics. He is a member of the AUVSI and Mountain West Unmanned Systems Alliance. Most notably, Dave has a working relationship with the Discovery Channel and has contributed as part of the team that gets breath-taking shots on Survivorman.

As Flying IQ is an online aviation and drone pilot training source, the Online Professional Aerial Photography Course, will be delivered to backers via email once the project is complete in the form of login credentials and a username and password to login at FlyingIQ.com.

Below are the awesome rewards given to those who help support our Campaign!

Check them out and be on the look out for our Kickstarter going live Friday, July 31st!

This past week we got the chance for some one on one time with Dave Terry, the content expert for our upcoming Aerial and Real Estate Photography Courses! See below for my interview and his insights to this industry we love!

Flying IQ:Tell me a little about your background and your path to becoming a Drone Pilot.

Dave Terry: I have a strong aviation background, started saving for my pilots license when I was 8, got a paper route until I was 14 and then took glider training so by 15 I had my private pilots license and was flying airplanes before I was driving cars.

I then spent time with model aviation and learned to fly the old control line airplanes and eventually got into RC flying.

In early 2013 I wanted something to fuel my fire and passion and started a new company called Silverhawk Aerial Imaging. I Spent 1 year becoming an expert on all things drones and went on a quest for knowledge learning all I could so in March, 2014 we launched officially.

Flying IQ:What was it about being a drone pilot that lead you to that career choice?

Dave Terry: Everyone wants to fly – being able to fly is freeing to the spirit, it’s a rush, its fun, cool and enjoyable.

Now I get to make money and enjoy what I’m doing with Silverhawk Aerial Imaging.

Flying IQ: How did you learn to fly drones? Did you take a course or were you self-taught?

Dave Terry: It came as second nature because of my aviation background both with full scale and model experience

learning to fly was fairly simple. Early on in 2013 the technology wasn’t very reliable so I made some costly mistakes which gave me new perspective on how to rebuild and reconstruct my drones to make them better.

My first drone was a turn key drone (DJI) I wrecked it real quickly and then learned the back end of how to build his own drone

Flying IQ:Where do you think the drone industry is headed, specifically in regards to Aerial and Real Estate Photography?

Dave Terry: Prospects are very bright the platform as a whole is very reliable thanks to the hobbyist and now we are using that platform to do actual work. Drones are now doing work as opposed to just having fun.

Flying IQ: Your best moment with your drone?

Dave Terry: Defining moment came when I was hovering a train tunnel in Nevada and wanted a very specific shot of the train coming out of the tunnel and ruggedness and old steamworld feel. I waited and waited to get the shot and knew I had made the shot even before I could take it home to look at the footage. The shot was actually more amazing then I thought. I use that shot to know how far I’ve come. It was a rush moment – a thrill of getting the shot and being able to produce it.

Flying IQ:What was your biggest drone fail moment?

Dave Terry: I was hired to go film at a undisclosed location at a military base and I was supposed to be filming people doing work and I was supposed to catch a specific moment and before we started shooting I realized the transmitter I brought was the wrong one and we ended up not getting any footage – it was quite embarrassing.

Flying IQ: Best tip for new beginners in the drone industry

Dave Terry: Be willing to jump all in – be willing to spend the money, time and effort. It’s really hard work you can spend 3 hrs for a 10 min flight it’s not something you can just grab your done throw it into the air and expect to get great shots. You have to put in the preparation for greatness.

If you have further questions or want to find out more about Dave feel free to reach out to him at:

We are very excited to announce that Silverhawk Aerial Imaging’s pilot, Dave Terry, will be our content expert in our upcoming Aerial Photography and Real Estate Photography courses. He founded Silverhawk Aerial Imaging 2 years ago but has an impressive resume working with The Discovery Channel helping to film shows like Survivorman.

He will be working with our team over the next week to teach us all his knowledge in this growing field and career path. Along with classroom learning, he will take our team into the field and show us his skills while flying his unmanned aerial vehicle. We will post over the coming weeks what we learn and sneak peek footage that we hope to use in our upcoming courses. Stay tuned!

See below for Dave’s Aerial footage of Snoqualmie Falls in Washington.